The Sunday before Easter Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday.  Each of the Gospels record the event because the Lord wanted us to remember the significance of the event.  Brace yourself, it has little to nothing to do with Palm branches.  Though they may help us remember the occasion.  Do you remember?  Let’s read Matthew’s account to recollect the scene.

 

“The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats.  Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road.  The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He Who comes in the name of the LORD; Hosanna in the highest!’  When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’  And the crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:6-11).

 

Jesus enters Jerusalem for His final trip to the Passover and it is the Sunday before Thursday’s celebration.  His entrance is remarkable.  As people hear of Him approaching the city, they throw clothes and branches on the floor so that the animal He rides does not need to touch the dust with its feet.  This is the red carpet treatment to the nth degree. 

 

But what is the significance of the event?  First off, if you read the four Gospel accounts (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19), you realize that Palm branches are not at all significant.  Only John mentions them by name and although three accounts mention some type of branch being used, Luke records only clothes being place ahead of Jesus’ procession.  Picture in your mind both being used, no doubt.  But, personally, I find the clothing even more meaningful.  You can welcome your King’s procession by placing some cut branches.  That is something.  But what about people who are so concerned with honoring their king that they take their outer cloaks and place them on the ground!  Remember that in that culture clothing was extremely valuable.  It would be rare for the average person to have extra clothing laying around at home.  That was only for the wealthy.  And yet the donkey walks on their valuable clothes because the donkey is carrying their King!

 

As you read the accounts, you recognize that the real message of the Triumphal Entry is that a Jerusalem crowd is receiving Jesus as King – as Messiah!  Furthermore, each Gospel records the same quote by the masses.  The crowd quotes Psalm 118:26 in their procession of jubilant praise.  “Blessed is the King, who comes in the Name of the Lord!”  By stating this clear Messianic Psalm they are clearly accepting Jesus as the Anointed King – the Messiah who was the promised Deliverer.  That is the term Hosanna – “Save now!”  “Deliver us, King Jesus!”

 

Now look a little more carefully.  Let me encourage you to read the whole of Psalm 118 because there are two very fascinating verses that are in this Psalm concerning Jesus.

 

“²²The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.  ²³ This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.  ²⁴ This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  ²⁵ O LORD, do save, we beseech You; O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity!  ²⁶ Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; we have blessed you from the house of the LORD.  ²⁷ The LORD is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.  ²⁸ You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol You.  ²⁹ Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 118:22-29).

 

Notice the first verse in this segment (v. 22).  In the same Psalm which predicts the Messiah King entering the gates of the Lord (Jerusalem) we read of the corner stone being rejected.  How could rejection and acceptance be so closely prophesied?  Well, you would not expect it, but it is clearly in Psalm 118. 

 

Now look at verse 27.  “The LORD is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.”  And this quote comes immediately following the verse people quote concerning Jesus being Messiah.  A command to bind the sacrifice – a festal sacrifice (like a Passover Lamb) to the altar.  This is Jesus.  He is our Sacrifice and even in procession proclaiming His triumph, His sacrificial death is prophesied.

 

So, what is the significance of Palm Sunday?  Not the Palms.  But a group of people accept the King Who even in accepting this glory is acknowledging that He will humble Himself and become a Sacrifice.  By becoming the Sacrifice the King will do just what they ask Him to do.  The King will save by becoming the Lamb.

 

And in just a few days the crowd that cries for His coronation will cry for His crucifixion.  Let us be those who accept Him as King.  And let us learn from Jesus a submission to the Father’s will no matter where He leads - to the crown or the cross.